Tobacco Cessation Classes                                                                                                   

Classes for Tweens, Teens and Young Adults

Both programs are free and expenses are covered through the Baptist Trinity Lutheran Legacy Foundation, the Healthcare Foundation of Kansas City, the Robert Little Memorial Fund and individual donations. To find out more about the classes or to donate funds to help youth not begin smoking or to quit call Roby Little at 816.347.3298. As a community, it is time to admit that tobacco use by our youth is a deadly issue.

The following is a synopsis of both programs and contains each session’s objectives.

Tobacco Intervention Program

This program is designed to be an education program to be used with tobacco- using-teens to make them aware of the health and physiological dangers of tobacco use.  It can be used as an alternative to fines or suspension for youth caught using tobacco.  The program has 8 sessions lasting 45 to 50 minutes but can be offered as well in two 4-hour sessions.  The sessions should be at least one week apart and presented in a group environment for active participation. DVD’s, activities, and exercises are used to make this an interesting, active, and informative curriculum presented in a non-judgmental environment.  The tobacco is the problem – not the smoker.  At the beginning of each session, the teens share their tobacco usage and if they are reducing the number of chews or cigarettes. 

Below is an outline of the program: 

Session One:  Who We are, Where We Stand

The main purposes of this session are:

• To introduce the facilitators and participants
• To describe the rule and expectations of the group
• To help participants become aware of their own tobacco use, that of others, and their attitudes toward quitting
• To begin gathering information about the participants usage of tobacco

Session Two:  Looking Inside – Personal Reasons for Using

The main purposes of this session are:

• Learn that most young people do not use tobacco regularly
• Consider their attitudes and feelings related to tobacco use
• Understand the various social and cultural factors related to their tobacco use.
• How tobacco advertisers target teens

Session Three: Why Use Tobacco?

The main purposes of this session are:

• Identify the situations and routines they encounter of a daily basis that are associated with their own tobacco use.
• Identify at least five reasons they and others might choose to use tobacco
• Learn the harmful effects that tobacco use has on females and males

Session Four:  What Happens If I Continue to Smoke or Chew? – Part 1

The main purposes of this session are:

• Learn the physical and cosmetic effects of tobacco use
• Understand that tobacco contains many harmful chemicals that can cause cancer
• Understand that nicotine is very addictive
• Understand that tobacco contains chemicals that cause serious problems other than cancer

 Session Five:  What Happens If I Continue to Smoke or Chew? – Part 2

The main purposes of this session are:

• Learn the negative effects of tobacco on the body
• Learn how addictive nicotine is
• Understand the need for ongoing support, such as a tobacco cessation program, for those truly interested in quitting
• Calculate the direct financial costs of purchasing
• Learn that marijuana also contains many harmful chemicals

Session Six:  Dead-End Destination

The main purposes of this session are:

• Learn the consequences that continued tobacco use will have on their bodies
• Become aware of some of the benefits they would gain if they were to stop using tobacco
• Learn the effects their smoking has on others

 Session Seven: Spit Tobacco and How to Quit Smoking

The main purposes of this session are:

• Learn that spit tobacco is not a safe alternative to smoking
• Learn the negative effects of spit tobacco on the body.
• Learn the importance of seeing a dentist or doctor immediately if any mouth sores develop
• Learn the process of quitting tobacco use from the perspective of a former teen tobacco user

 Session Eight: Decision Time   

The main purposes of this session are:

• Describe the benefits of joining a tobacco cessation program
• Reinforce some key ideas and positive attitudes participants have acquired to this point
• Evaluate the education program

Tobacco Cessation Program 

This program is a support program for students wanting to stop tobacco use. It is designed as a follow-up to teens that went through the education program and decided to quit or for any teen who has decided to quit. It must be completely voluntary to be effective. The program is an 8 week program with follow-up sessions to give more support. The program needs to be presented in weekly sessions that last 45- 50 minutes long. The ideal number of participants is between 8-10. The program is designed to maximize the active involvement of the participants. 

Below is an outline of the program: 

Session One: Getting Acquainted

The main purposes of this session are:

• To introduce the facilitators and participants
• Learn the goals of the cessation program
• To describe the rule and expectations of the group
• Begin to access their own tobacco use by completing the “Tobacco Use Survey”
• Learn the effects of carbon monoxide and how much carbon monoxide they have in their bodies as a result of smoking.
• Learn the pros and cons of nicotine replacements (only if some participants are using replacements or if the participants ask)

 Session Two: The Cycle of Addiction

The main purposes of this session are:

• Understand that nicotine is extremely addictive
• Learn the components of the cycle of addiction and the increase levels of use
• Look at assets and deficits in quitting tobacco
• Develop an understanding of why and how they use tobacco
• Identify personal reasons to quit and personal types of tobacco use
• Develop a plan to quit

Session Three: Silenced by Tobacco

The main purposes of this session are:

• To receive recognition for reduction or cessation of tobacco use
• Identify long-term risks for tobacco use
• Describe practical alternatives to tobacco use
• Understand the physical and psychological effects tobacco use can have on people who must have larynxes removed
• Determine how much money they spend on tobacco and what they could buy if they saved that money

Session Four: Let’s Start Stopping

The main purposes of this session are:

• To receive recognition for reduction or cessation of tobacco use
• Learn some specific techniques for cutting down or postponing each instance of use
• Develop a personal plan to quit, including a quit date and a specific reward for reducing and quitting
• Identify ways to prevent weight gain after quitting

Session Five: Closer to the Goal

The main purposes of this session are:

• To receive recognition for reduction or cessation of tobacco use
• Understand how stress affects tobacco use
• Identify personal stressors and develop stress-management techniques
• Become aware of and manage the effects of nicotine withdrawal
• Understand the cold turkey approach

Session Six: Almost There

The main purposes of this session are:

• To receive recognition for reduction or cessation of tobacco use
• Identify the people, situations, places and activities that could trigger urges to smoke or chew.
• Learn relaxation techniques
• Learn about hypnotherapy and how it can be used to quit tobacco

Session Seven: Freedom Day!

The main purposes of this session are:

• To receive recognition for reduction or cessation of tobacco use
• Quit tobacco completely.
• Practice resistance skills in order to say no to tobacco

Session Eight: Staying Tobacco-Free

The main purposes of this session are:

• To receive recognition and reinforcement for staying tobacco-free
• Identify and discuss barriers to remaining tobacco-free
• Identify some techniques, specific to each participant, to help stay tobacco-free
• Attain a clear sense of accomplishment by formally graduating from the cessation program